Support device

ABSTRACT

A portable, light-weight, foldable, support device for papers, portable computers, bingo cards and the like, the device formed from lightweight, plastic, planar, spaced upper and lower parallel sheets separated by integrally-formed, spaced, parallel ribs laterally extending between said sheets from one side edge of the said sheets to an opposite side edge, the upper sheet having a plurality of linear cuts, each cut running through the upper sheet from the one side edge of the said upper sheet to the opposite, each cut being between a different adjacent pair of the said ribs to permit the folding of the device about a corresponding fold line in the lower sheet formed between those same ribs, the cuts and corresponding fold lines being of a number and spaced so as to form, in the device, in sequence, a working surface panel, an elevation panel, a support panel, and a lip panel, these panels foldable, about the fold lines in the lower sheet, in one direction out of the plane of the sheets, into an operative configuration of the device so that said working surface panel is upwardly and rearwardly inclined with respect to a horizontal working surface on which the device may rest, and the said working surface panel is supported at a lower front edge of the said working surface panel on said horizontal support surface, and at its upper rear edge by the other panels, said panels provided with securing means for reasonably holding the said panels in the operative configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a support device, usable for holdingpapers, portable computers, and activity sheets such as Bingo cards andthe like, which device can be conveniently folded after use for storageand for transport.

[0002] Games such as Bingo are usually played with cards or sheets lyingflat on horizontal support surfaces—i.e., tables—which in turn requiresplayers to hunch over the table in an effort to view and to mark theirplaying cards. Such a configuration is both uncomfortable and tiring,especially for the elderly. Indeed, the same may be said of supportsurfaces for portable computers and for sheet-like materials of anykind. What is more, the viewing of reference materials that liehorizontal is exceptionally difficult for the visually impaired due tothe distance of the materials from the viewer, to paper glare, and tothe angle at which users of bifocal lenses must crane their necks toview the materials through the bifocal lense channel.

[0003] Collapsible devices providing portable, angled working surfacesmade of foldable sheet material are known. It is generally found,however, that these devices are wanting in terms of convenience,sturdiness, and economy given their construction and the materialsrequired therefor. Examples of such devices include Aquino U.S. Pat. No.4,607,817 issued Aug. 26, 1986, which discloses a collapsible podium,but lacks adequate support for its working surface, making the use ofactivity sheets on the podium difficult; Mardak U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,895issued Dec. 1, 1987 which teaches a portable viewing stand whichexhibits a common problem found in the securing means for holdingdevices of this nature in their operable positions—the securing meansbeing in the form of cumbersome stop elements that add to the expense ofthe invention and tend to discourage mobility of the device in itsoperable position; Writ et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,658 issued Mar. 5,1985 which discloses a collapsible retainer for Bingo sheets, andMarker, which retainer manifests still another common problem as itfolds in a manner that results in a bulky or awkward collapsed devicewhich, in turn, taxes transport.

[0004] Also of background interest is Guenther U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,284issued Feb. 26, 1974 and Wyatt Canadian Industrial Design 55400,registered Dec. 17, 1985.

[0005] It is therefore evident that a need is present for a portable,foldable support device that has universal utility; provides a solid andsturdy working surface when in use; is light-weight and inexpensive; iseasily foldable into an operative configuration; and is easily foldableinto a compact, convenient carrying and storage orientation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is a primary object of this invention to provide a portable,foldable support device for activity sheets and the like that manifestsstability and accessability while in an operative configuration, butfolds simply and easily for transport and for storage.

[0007] These and other objects of the invention will become apparentthroughout the specification.

[0008] The present invention relates to a portable, foldable, supportdevice comprising planar, parallel, upper and lower sheets separated byintegrally-formed, spaced, parallel ribs laterally extending between thesheets from one side edge of the sheets to an opposite side edge. Theupper sheet has a plurality of linear cuts running through it from theone side edge to the opposite one, each cut being between a differentadjacent pair of the ribs to permit the folding of the device about acorresponding fold line in the lower sheet formed between those sameribs. The cuts and corresponding fold lines are of a number and spacedso as to form, in sequence, a working surface panel, an elevation panel,a support panel, and a lip panel. The panels are foldable about the foldlines in the lower sheet, in one direction out of the plane of thesheets, into an operative configuration so that the working surfacepanel is upwardly and rearwardly inclined with respect to a horizontalsupport surface, with the working surface panel being supported at alower front edge of the working surface panel on a horizontal supportsurface and at its upper rear edge by the other panels. The panels areheld in an operable configuration by releasable securing means.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the upper sheet of the working surfacepanel is further provided near its rear edge with clip means forreasonably securing activity sheets in position on the working surfacepanel. the releasable securing means are located on confronting surfacesof the upper sheet of the lip panel and the lower sheet of the workingsurface panel. The connection between the lip and support panel lendsfurther support to the integrity of the working surface panel byabsorbing pressure and shock at approximately the midpoint of theworking surface panel and transferring much of the force through thesupport panel to the point where the support panel meets the horizontalworking surface.

[0010] This device is preferably constructed so that the panels arefoldable into a flat, storable and carrying orientation by folding theelevation panel, the support panel, and the lip panel, in one plane,about the fold line separating the working surface panel and theelevation panel. The lower sheet of the support panel then confronts thelower sheet of the working surface panel, and releasable securing meanspositioned at the confronting positions indicated releasably hold thesupport panel and the working surface panel together, therebyconfiguring the device in a storage and carrying orientation.

[0011] Friction means may also be affixed to portions of the lower sheetof the working surface panel near the lower front edge of the same andto supporting surfaces of the other panels to encourage immobility ofthe device when resting on a horizontal support surface.

[0012] The device herein described in its operable position provideselevated support for all manner of reference materials, books, portablecomputers, activity sheets and the like, while further affording stableand firm positioning for such material objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] These and other advantages of the invention will become apparentupon reading the following detailed description and upon referring tothe drawings in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the support device in its operableconfiguration;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the device of FIG. 1 inoperable orientation;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the upper sheet device in anunfolded position;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lower sheet of the device inan unfolded position;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a side view of the device in the storable and carryingorientation.

[0019] While the invention will be described in conjunction withillustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intendedto limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it isintended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as maybe included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] In the drawings, similar features have been given similarreference numerals.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a portable,foldable support device 10 according to the present invention set up inthe operable position. The device is formed from two, spaced, parallel,generally rectangular sheets of thin plastic-like material, an uppersheet 11 and a lower sheet 12. Each sheet is circumscribed bylongitudinal side edges 13, a front edge 14 and a back edge 15.

[0022] The upper sheet 11 and the lower sheet 12 are separated byparallel spaced, linear ribs 16 laterally extending between oppositeside edges 13. As can be seen in FIG. 3, cuts 17, 18, and 19 extendthrough the upper sheet 11 between the side edges 13 and between anadjacent pairs of ribs 16 to permit folding of the device respectivelyabout fold lines 20, 21, and 22 in the lower sheet 12 to permit thefolding of the device 10 into operable position.

[0023] These cuts and fold lines form a working surface panel 23, anelevation panel 24, a support panel 25, and a lip panel 26. As can beseen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the device is folded into its operable positionby folding the device about the fold lines 20, 21, 22 in one direction,so that the working surface panel 23 is upwardly and rearwardly inclinedwith respect to a horizontal support surface 27. In this position, thedevice 10 is elevated by the elevation panel 24 and supported by supportpanel 25. Support panel 25 is angled with respect to the support surface27 and abuts lip panel 26 which is folded so its upper sheet 11confronts and is releasably secured to the lower sheet 12 of the workingsurface panel 23 at approximately the latter's midpoint, from one sideedge 13 of the working surface panel 23 to the other side edge 13 of thesame. This construction lends support to the integrity of the workingsurface panel 23 by absorbing physical pressure and shock atapproximately the midpoint of the said working surface panel 23 andtransferring much of the generated energy through the support panel 25to the point where the said support panel 25 meets a horizontal supportsurface 27, as can be seen in FIG. 2. To encourage immobility of thedevice when it rests on a horizontal support surface 27, friction pads28 are affixed to rear portions of the upper sheet 11 of the supportpanel 25, and to portions of the lower sheet 12 of the working surfacepanel 23 near the front edge 14.

[0024] Releasable securing means, such as hook and pile fasteners 29,are positioned on confronting portions of the lower sheet 12 of theworking surface panel 23, at approximately the midpoint, and of theupper sheet 11 of the lip panel 26 to secure, releasably, the device 10in its operable position.

[0025] A plurality of clips 30 are affixed as illustrated to the uppersheet 11 of the working surface panel 23 near the back edge 15 forholding activity sheets 32 such as bingo playing cards in position onthe working surface panel 23. The clips 30 may be of any constructionappropriate for releasably gripping the activity sheet 32, and in theillustrated embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, each has an upper jaw33 with a plurality of teeth-like rows which interact with correspondingteeth-like rows jutting from the bottom jaw 34 to hold in position aBingo card or the like when the clips are closed. The upper jaw 33 ismovable in a hinge-like manner so as to close and to lock, releasably,with the bottom jaw 34 so as to hold the activity sheets 32 in positionon the upper surface 11 of working surface panel 23.

[0026]FIG. 5 illustrates the support device 10 secured in the storageand carrying orientation. To achieve this orientation, lip panel 26,elevation panel 24, and support panel 25 are folded, in one plane, aboutthe fold line 20 separating the working surface panel 23 and theelevation panel 24 so that the lower sheets 12 of lip panel 26,elevation panel 24, and support panel 25 confront the lower sheet 12 ofthe working surface panel 23. Releasable securing means, such as hookand pile fasteners 29 are correspondingly positioned on the lower sheet12 of the support panel 25 and on the lower sheet 12 of the workingsurface panel 23 matably to secure to each other to hold the supportdevice 10 in the storage and carrying orientation as shown in FIG. 5.

[0027] Materials employed in constructing the support device 10 shouldbe of sufficient structural rigidity so as to permit the use of activitycards 32 such as bingo cards atop the working surface panel 23 andinsofar as lower sheet 12 is concerned, of sufficient flexibility toenable its folding along the fold lines 20, 21, 22 without splitting.Sheets 11 and 12, and ribs 16 may preferably be integrally formed from asuitable plastic.

[0028] From the foregoing detailed description it will be apparent thatthere has been disclosed a portable and foldable device that provides anelevated working surface able to hold a wide variety of items such asreference materials, books, portable computers, newspapers, drawing orsketching tablets, textiles, activity sheets and the like, the device islight-weight and easy to carry and to store, promotes enhanced visionand stability of objects on it, and is inexpensive. It can be used in avariety of environments for a variety of applications including: as alaptop desk which conveniently folds flat; as a Bingo Card holder(various sizes are possible to hold, for example, from 6 to 24 cards);for reading newspapers (may be sized for newspapers); for writing orreading; for secretarial use (holds papers that may be pulled offone-at-a-time); teachers' aid (may be used as a desktop podium); forartists (may be used as a drawing board and portable sketching table);for knitters/crochet (patten holder); for truck drivers (may be used forholding trip logs, maps, manifests); for accountants (may be used forholding data holders); and for the vision-impaired who may use thisdevice as a visionary aid.

[0029] In addition, the versatility of the device is enhanced by thefact that, in its operable position, the device may be placed to rest onits elevation panel and used as a typing or viewing stand with theworking surface panel facing the user and the clips then at the bottomof the panel, the clips then allowing paper and like material to be heldin place for greater ease of reference.

[0030] While the above description describes a preferred embodiment, itis to be understood that this description is meant to be illustrativeand not limiting, and that the scope of the invention is defined by theclaims as follows.

What I claim as my invention:
 1. A portable, light-weight, foldable,support device for papers, portable computers, bingo cards and the like,the device formed from lightweight, plastic, planar, spaced upper andlower parallel sheets separated by integrally-formed, spaced, parallelribs laterally extending between said sheets from one side edge of thesaid sheets to an opposite side edge, the upper sheet having a pluralityof linear cuts, each cut running through the upper sheet from the oneside edge of the said upper sheet to the opposite, each cut beingbetween a different adjacent pair of the said ribs to permit the foldingof the device about a corresponding fold line in the lower sheet formedbetween those same ribs, the cuts and corresponding fold lines being ofa number and spaced so as to form, in the device, in sequence, a workingsurface panel, an elevation panel, a support panel, and a lip panel,these panels foldable, about the fold lines in the lower sheet, in onedirection out of the plane of the sheets, into an operativeconfiguration of the device so that said working surface panel isupwardly and rearwardly inclined with respect to a horizontal workingsurface on which the device may rest, and the said working surface panelis supported at a lower front edge of the said working surface panel onsaid horizontal support surface, and at its upper rear edge by the otherpanels, said panels provided with securing means for reasonably holdingthe said panels in the operative configuration.
 2. A device according toclaim 1, wherein the upper sheet of the working surface panel isprovided near its rear edge with clip means for releasably securing theactivity sheets in position on said working surface panel.
 3. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the device is constructed so as to besupported on a horizontal support surface at a lower front edge of theworking surface panel, and along the edge of the support panel near thejuncture of the elevation panel and said support panel.
 4. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the lip panel, the elevation panel, andthe support panel are constructed so as to be foldable, in one plane,about the fold line separating the working surface panel and saidelevation panel into a flat, storable and carrying orientation.
 5. Adevice according to claim 1, when, in the operative configuration, thepanels are constructed so as to be folded, in a triangular fashion, sothat a portion of the upper sheet of the lip panel confronts and isreleasably secured to a mid portion of the lower sheet of the workingsurface panel so as to lend support to the integrity of the workingsurface panel.
 6. A device according to claim 5, wherein releasablesecuring means are positioned on one or both of the confronting surfacesof the lip panel and working surface panel to secure, releasably, thelip and working surface panels in the operable configuration.
 7. Adevice according to claim 6, wherein said securing means comprise hookand pile fasteners located at confronting locations on the confrontingsurfaces of the working surface panel and of the lip panel.
 8. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the panels are of rectangular shape and ofthe same size along one side and along the other side of the panels; thesupport panel is of a smaller size that the working surface panel; theelevation panel is of a smaller size than the said support panel; andthe lip panel is of the smallest size.
 9. A device according to claim 3,wherein friction means are affixed to portions of the lower sheet of theworking surface panel near the lower front edge of the same, and tosupporting surfaces of the other panels of the device to encourageimmobility of the device when resting on a support surface.
 10. A deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the clip means comprise one or more pairsof jaws, each having an upper jaw movable in a hinge-like manner so asto close and to interconnect, releasably, with a bottom jaw affixed tothe working surface panel to hold activity sheets.
 11. A deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein the lower sheet of the support panel, whenin the carrying orientation, confronts the lower sheet of the workingsurface panel.
 12. A device according to claim 11, wherein releasablesecuring means are positioned on the lower sheet of the support panel soas to confront releasable securing means positioned on the lower sheetof the working surface panel, said releasable securing means holdingsaid support panel and said working surface panel together when in flat,storable and carrying orientation.
 13. A device according to claim 12,wherein the securing means comprise hook and pile fasteners.
 14. Adevice according to claim 6, wherein the releasable securing meanspositioned on the lower sheet of the working surface panel are disposedso as to meet the releasable securing means positioned on upper sheet ofthe lip panel when in operable position, and to meet the releasablesecuring means positioned on the lower sheet of the support panel whenin the carrying orientation.
 15. A device according to claim 12, whereinthe releasable securing means positioned on the lower sheet of theworking surface panel are disposed so as to meet the releasable securingmeans positioned on upper sheet of the lip panel when in operableposition, and to meet the releasable securing means positioned on thelower sheet of the support panel when in the carrying orientation.